April 29, 2007

Fourth Sunday of Easter

God gathers us together on this sacred day as a shepherd gathers the sheep. Let us listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd as we lift our hearts in prayer and song on this day of joy and gladness.

MASS SCHEDULE

Apr.     28       4:30PM      People of St. John’s Parish

Apr.     29     10:00AM     Angeline Bright…………..The Bright Family

                                           Mary Ricciardi………Mary Pidgeon & Jean Boughton

May     03     12:15PM      Novena to the Miraculous Medal

May     05       4:30PM      Amadeo Volpe………………….….By Wife

                                           John & Raffaela DeMatteo………By Family 

May     06     10:00AM     Louis Pidgeon…………..The Valentino Family

                                           Silvio Tremante……………The Schaeffer Family

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS                                           

04/28:   R. Abeel & S. Abeel                             04/29:   S. Hedman, D. Lessard & D. Duggan

05/05:   S. Abeel & R. Abeel                             05/06:   M. Sieder, D. Duggan & M. Perrella

                                                                               

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

04/28:   M. Burger & C. Kiszkiel                                   04/29:   L. Lucas & M. Perrella

05/05:   C. Kiszkiel & E. Feuerstein                               05/06:   J. Scheib & C. Hajjar

               

ACOLYTES

04/29:  Brittany Mazur & Michael Natalie                       05/06:  Emi Carosella & Kristen Perrella                        

 

REST IN PEACE – Please pray for Helen Briggs and her family.  Helen went to her eternal rest on April 22nd.  Her funeral was held in our church on April 26th.

 

TIME, TALENT & TREASURE – If you have not done so, please take a moment to complete the Time, Talent & Treasure form.  Forms can be obtained in the front entrance of the church.  Completed forms may be placed in the offertory baskets or given to one of our ushers.

 

June 16tH Rummage, BBQ and Bake SALE - Start cleaning out your attics and cellars – Our rummage sale will be here before you know it.  Please be sure your rummage is in good condition, clean, if electronic – in working order etc…  Label your boxes whenever possible. If you’d like to put a price on your items – please do so using masking tape. You can drop off Rummage Sale items anytime Mon-Thurs. 8:30 to 2:30.  For larger items that need to be picked up, call and leave a message at the rectory 374-9148 anytime.  We need a lot of sorters, bakers, and day of sale volunteers!  Be sure to get involved and have some fun. 

Donna Lessard & Fred Simone

 

Relay for LIFE - at Scotia/Glenville High School on June 15th and 16th.  This is a community gathering where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer.  Relays are an overnight event (because Cancer never sleeps) but it is not required to stay overnight.  For more information go to website:  www.ascevents.org/relay/ny/scotiaglenville or contact Claudia McLaughlin at 388-9198.  Parents are needed to chaperone for this event, if you would like to volunteer call Donna Simone (346-2097) or email:  dasimone@aol.com.  Bake Sale will be held in St. John’s Parish Center after Mass on April 29th.  The proceeds will be given to those youth in our Religious Education Program who participate in the Relay for Life fundraiser.

 

CROP WALK:  Sunday, May 6, 2007 at St. Helen’s School.  If you want to participate:  contact Donna Simone (dasimone@aol.com) 346-2097 (home #) 374-3382 (work #) to get a walkers participant envelope.

 

First Communion and SCHOOL OF RELIGION Closing Liturgy - at St. Joseph’s Church on Sunday, May 13th at 10:15 a.m. Liturgy.   All students are requested to attend with their parents.

 

CONFIRMATION – rehearsal will be held on Thursday May 3rd at 6:30PM.  Confirmation

will be held on Monday May 7th at 6PM at St. Luke’s Church.

 

Music & Liturgy at Pyramid Lake - Sunday, July 8th – Thursday, July 12th for Grades 9 and up.  Tuition $275 before June 1st’ $325 after June lst.  Contact Richard Putorti at rputorti@nycap.rr.com for more information or registration information.  If you sing or play an instrument and want to learn more about using your talents at church then sign up.  An experience for Catholic youth with music filled days and nights, prayer experiences, outdoor activities in and around the lake, mini-courses on music skills, song selections, and liturgy.

 

SCHOOL OF RELIGION –Classes are scheduled for April 29th, May 6th and the last class will be May 13th followed by the closing liturgy at St. Joseph’s at 10:15AM.

 

LAWNMOWER NEEDED – Our parish is in need of a gas powered lawn mower in good working condition.  If you are willing to donate a lawnmower, please contact the Parish Center at 374-9148.  Pick up can be arranged if needed.

 

Nocturnal Adoration Society -  The Schenectady chapter of the Nocturnal Adoration Society meets on the first Friday of each month from 8:00 - 9:00 PM at the Chapel of St. Clare's Hospital on McClellan Street. The service consists of readings from the Office of the Blessed Sacrament that are taken from Liturgy of the Hours and concludes with Benediction and Exposition of the Holy Eucharist. There are approximately 20 active members from various parishes that attend each month. The next meeting of the Society will take place on Friday May 4th.  If you are interested in joining the Society or just attending one of these services, please contact Mark Perrella via email at mperrell@nycap.rr.com or by phone at 393-1512 for more details.

 

Parishioner Seeks Apartment -   One bedroom or large efficiency. Section 8 qualified.  Contact Walt Chura:  456-3201.  

 

GET WELL SOON – Martha King is recovering at home.  Prayers and well wishes may be sent to:  16 Bluff Rd., Schenectady 12306.

 

MEETING DATES

THURSDAY May 3rd Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

MONDAY May 14th  Parish Council 6:45PM in the Parish Center

 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION:  The offertory collection for the weekend of 4/22/07 was $1,708.00.    Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00   Our “Raise the Roof” collection is at $18,302.00. "Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth." Deuteronomy 8:18

 

 

 

                           

 

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Schenectady’s Historic Church   

Over 175 Years of Worship and Service

 

 

Rev. Michael T. Schmitt – Sacramental Minister

 Administrative Assistant –Eileen Mazur

Parish Office Hours 8:30AM-2:30PM Monday through Thursday 374-9148 Closed Friday

Parish Center Email: sjb@albany.net Web Site:  www.albany.net/~sjb/

Saturday Mass taped for Channel 16 – Shown: Sunday 2 PM & Monday 2 PM
     

St. John the Baptist Mission Statement

Dedicated to Celebrating Christ’s Love in

Worship, Works of Charity and Fellowship

 

 

Sublime Gift of Divine Mercy

 

“It is not dutiful observance that keeps us from sin, but something far greater: it is love. And this love is not something which we develop by our own powers alone. It is a sublime gift of the divine mercy, and the fact that we live in the realization of this mercy and this gift is the greatest source of growth for our love and for our holiness.
This gift, this mercy, this unbounded love of God for us has been lavished upon us as a result of Christ’s victory. To taste this love is to share in His victory. To realize our freedom, to exult in our liberation from death, from sin and from the Law, is to sing the Alleluia which truly glorifies God in this world and the world to come."
Thomas Merton, Seasons of Celebration pp. 156-57

         OUR 53RD BISHOPS APPEAL

           ADVANCE NOTICE WEEKEND

 

A note from your parish leadership…..

 

Next weekend, Catholics throughout the Diocese of Albany will join together in support of Our 53rd Bishops Appeal.  As in the past, each of you will be asked to join together in the spirit of stewardship by making a financial commitment to the Church of Albany.  Our Bishop’s Appeal provides essential operating support for more than thirty offices that provide direct services to both this parish and thousands of people throughout fourteen counties that comprise this Diocese.

 

A successful Bishop’s Appeal is vital to the continued health of this parish and our Diocesan Church.  As our parish and Diocese are one, comprising the Body of Christ, neither can exist without the other and both need your support.

 

I am asking that every family within this parish join me in support of Our53rd Annual Bishop’s Appeal.  During this week, I would ask you to reflect upon my call support.  I would ask you to consider what contributing to this appeal really means – your support of this appeal ensures that our schools and our religious education programs remain vital sources of learning and support for the young people who will one day lead our Church.  It ensures that the profound needs of the sick, the troubles and elderly are continuously met by the various offices of Catholic Charities, it ensures continuous and essential training for all those who are called to ministry within our Diocese, and it ensures that your Diocese remains a vital, faith driven community.

 

Why In-Pew Signing Next Weekend?

Every family will be asked to make a commitment to Our 53rd Bishop’s Appeal by completing a special appeal envelope, in pew, next weekend at homily time.  This process greatly reduces the potential expenses associated with this appeal (postage, volunteer hours etc.).  This method generates 70% of our total gifts to Our Bishop’s Appeal.

 

How Does the In-Pew Process Work?

Next week, at homily time, I will speak about the appeal and will ask ushers to distribute appeal envelopes throughout the Church.  From the pulpit, I will lead you in the signing of the envelopes by way of a separate pass of the basket.  You need not bring cash or a check next weekend for this process – just come prepared to make a commitment to Our 53rd Bishop’s Appeal.

 

Lynn Lucas